Celebrated globally on February 13, World Radio Day aims to acknowledge the powerful medium of radio and its role in dissemination of information, and democratic discourse.
The radio is the most widely consumed medium in the world. As it is a low-cost medium, the radio plays a crucial role in including people from even remote areas into democratic discourse. It is not only a way of reaching the masses, but is also a powerful tool for the people’s voices to be represented and heard.
UNESCO’s General Conference proclaimed February 13 as World Radio Day in 2011, as this day coincides with the anniversary of the United Nations Radio, which was established on February 13, 1946. The United Nations General Assembly formally endorsed UNESCO’s proclamation on 2012.
World Radio Day 2021 is the event’s 10th anniversary. The official World Radio Day 2021 theme mentions the theme as “New World, New Radio”. The World Radio Day 2021 theme is divided into three main sub-themes as follows.
The sub-themes for 2021 are:
However, this day is not celebrated by radio channels alone. Several media and journalism universities as well as media NGOs recognize the importance of this day, and while focusing on the year’s theme, conduct broadcasts and hold important discussions regarding development and connectivity on air.
Radio devices receive and convert radio waves, a type of electromagnetic radiation used in communication technologies like television and mobile phones, into mechanical vibrations in the speaker, thus generating sound waves. This seemingly simple technology has existed for a very long time now, and has still managed to keep its prominence alive regardless of newer discoveries.
This medium’s unique role in bridging cultures, building communities, allowing access to information to even the remotest areas due to its wide geographical range, and fostering positive dialogue is noteworthy and with the celebration of February 13 as World Radio Day, we are all reminded of its free, democratic and trustable nature.